Device for guiding at least one line

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for guiding a power supply chain ( 30 ). Said device comprises a distribution trough ( 4 ), which has a distribution surface ( 6 ) and lateral guides ( 8 ), for distributing the power supply chain ( 30 ). According to the invention, the power supply chain ( 30 ) comprises at least one magnet ( 12, 16, 28 ), which enables said chain to be freely suspended, at least over sections of its length, in the distribution trough ( 4 ).

The invention relates to a device for guiding at least one line, inaccordance with the preamble of claim 1, and to a device for guiding apower supply chain, in accordance with the preamble of claim 18.

Lines, particularly electrical lines that serve to supply movablemachines, are guided in a distribution trough, in order to protect themfrom damage. When the connected machine is moved, the lines are moved inthe distribution trough, so that they or the sheaths that surround themdrag along the inside surface of the trough. Wear of the line occurs dueto the friction that occurs between the line and the inside surface ofthe distribution trough.

It is therefore the task of the invention to further develop a device ofthe type stated initially, in such a manner that the line is exposed toless wear.

This task is accomplished, according to the invention, by means of adevice having the characteristics of claim 1, and by means of a devicehaving the characteristics of claim 18, respectively.

The invention is based on the idea of guiding the line or a sheath thatprotects it, in the distribution trough, in such a manner that it isguided at least partially without contact. At least at the sections thatare guided without contact, the surface of the line, i.e. of the sheaththat surrounds it, is not exposed to any friction wear, so that damageis avoided and the useful lifetime is extended. It is practical to guidethose sections of the line that are moved relative to the distributiontrough or to other sections of the line without contact. Preferably, atleast one lower-side magnet that faces the distribution surface isguided with the line, and the distribution surface has at least onedistribution-surface magnet, which is disposed in such a manner that itrepels the lower-side magnet as it approaches. In the region of themagnets, the line, i.e. the sheath that surrounds it, is suspended abovethe distribution surface, and this is particularly advantageous when theline is being pulled through the distribution trough. An advantageousfurther development provides that at least one lateral magnet facing thelateral guides is guided with the line, and that the lateral guides haveat least one lateral-guide magnet, in each instance, which is disposedin such a manner that it repels the lateral magnet as it approaches. Inthis case, friction wear caused by being dragged along the lateralguides is also prevented, at least in the region of the magnets.

It is practical if the line can be folded in the distribution trough, insuch a manner that a first section can be laid down with its lower sidethat faces the distribution surface, above an upper side, facing awayfrom the distribution surface, of a second section connected with thefirst by means of a bent section. This allows greater displacementpaths, at the same length of the line. In this case, it is preferredthat at least one upper-side magnet is guided with the upper side of thesecond section as well as the lower side of the first section, in eachinstance, whereby a magnetic pole of the upper-side magnet on the firstsection faces a similarly named pole of the upper-side magnet on thesecond section, so that the first section can be held suspended, atleast over part of its length, above the second section. In this way,alternatively or supplemental to the aforementioned measures, frictionwear caused by dragging of the first section on the second section, i.e.of the sheath that encloses the first section on the sheath thatencloses the second section, is also avoided. Freely suspended mountingof the second section is then not necessarily required, since the latteris only laid down on the distribution surface, and not dragged along it.It is practical if several upper-side magnets are disposed along thefirst and the second section, at a distance from one another, in such amanner that magnetic poles along the first section face similarly namedmagnetic poles along the second section. The first section is therebyheld suspended over a great part of its length, preferably over itsentire length, and moved in this manner.

Accordingly, it is preferable if several lower-side magnets are disposedalong the line, at a distance from one another, and severaldistribution-surface magnets are disposed on the distribution surface,at a distance from one another, in such a manner that magnetic polesalong the line face similarly named magnetic poles on the distributionsurface. In this way, the line, i.e. the sheath that encloses it, isheld suspended above the distribution surface, either entirely or atleast over a great part of its length. It is practical if severallateral-guide magnets are also disposed along the lateral guides, at adistance from one another, and several lateral magnets are disposedalong the sides of the line that face the lateral guides, at a distancefrom one another, in such a manner that magnetic poles of thelateral-guide magnets face similarly named magnetic poles of the lateralmagnets. In this way, contact with the lateral guides is avoided over agreat part of the length or the entire length of the line, i.e. thesheath that encloses it. It is practical if the lateral-guide magnetsare disposed on every lateral guide in two rows that run at a distancefrom one another, one above the other. In this manner, two sections ofthe line, i.e. of the sheath that encloses it, which sections aredisposed one above the other, are guided at a distance from the lateralguides.

The lower-side magnets, the lateral magnets and/or the upper-sidemagnets can be disposed directly on the line. However, it is preferredthat the line is disposed in a carrier that carries the lower-sidemagnets, the lateral magnets and/or the upper-side magnets. The carrieris preferably a sheath that encloses the line and protects it. In thisconnection, the magnets can be disposed on the outer surface of thecarrier, within the carrier, or in accommodation openings in the outersurface of the carrier.

The carrier can be a plastic mass in which several lines are embedded.In this way, an entire cable package is guided in the distributiontrough.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides thatthe carrier is a power supply chain. Power supply chains, which areguided in a distribution trough and accommodate one or more lines, areexposed to great friction wear when they are moved. This holds true, forone thing, for the contact between the chain and the distributionsurface. It holds true even more for the contact of the lateral links ofthe chain with the lateral guides of the distribution trough. Frictionwear is greatest in the region of the chain where the upper stringer islaid down onto the lower stringer, and slides along the latter as thechain is moved, or slides along the lateral guides. At these points, atwhich a relative movement of components causes friction, contact-freeguiding of the chain is most advantageous. The friction at these pointsis avoided by means of affixing lateral-guide magnets and/ordistribution-surface magnets in the distribution trough, at the lateralguides and on the distribution surface, respectively, as well aslower-side magnets on the lower side of the chain that faces thedistribution surface, upper-side magnets on the upper side of the lowerstringer and on the lower side of the upper stringer, and/or lateralmagnets on the sides of the power supply chain that face the lateralguides. Guiding of the chain at least partially without contact, andthereby without friction, has the further advantage that the energyconsumption when moving the chain is reduced. Furthermore, greateraccelerations and speeds can be achieved, as compared with anunsupported chain.

In this connection, it is practical if the lateral magnets are affixedto the lateral links of the chain. The lower-side magnets and theupper-side magnets can optionally be disposed on the lateral links or onthe connection crosspieces that connect the lateral links. It ispractical if a pair of upper-side magnets is disposed on every chainlink, symmetrical to the center longitudinal plane, which magnets extendon both sides in the longitudinal direction of the chain link. In thisconnection, it is preferred that the upper-side magnets have elevationsthat run in their longitudinal direction and face away from the chainlinks. It is advantageous if the upper-side magnets of consecutive chainlinks are disposed at different distances from the sides of the links.In this connection, it is particularly preferred that in the case ofeach chain link, the elevations are disposed in the same manner as inthe case of the n^(th) following chain link. n is a natural number andpreferably greater than or equal to 3. This results in lateral guidingof the upper stringer above the lower stringer, by means of which theupper stringer is held above the lower stringer in the case of minordisruptive influences, and does not deviate to the side. The lateralmagnets can be replaced, at least in part, by rollers that roll alongthe lateral guides. When rollers are used, the lateral-guide magnets canbe eliminated.

An advantageous further development of the invention provides that thedistribution trough has a slide rail for laying down the upper stringerof the power supply chain, that at least one slide-rail magnet isdisposed on the slide rail, and that at least one upper-side magnet isdisposed on the lower side of the upper stringer that faces the sliderail, in such a manner that a magnetic pole of the upper-side magnetfaces a similarly named magnetic pole of the slide-rail magnet.Preferably, several upper-side magnets are disposed on the power supplychain, at a distance from one another, and several slide-rail magnetsare disposed on the slide rail, at a distance from one another, in sucha manner that magnetic poles of the upper-side magnets face similarlynamed magnetic poles of the slide-rail magnets. The upper stringer canthen be moved in the distribution trough in suspended manner, evenbeyond the end of the lower stringer. In this connection, it ispractical if the upper-side magnets are the same magnets that also holdthe upper stringer suspended above the lower stringer.

It is practical if the distribution trough is made of a non-magneticmaterial. This can be, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.Plastic is also a possibility. A non-magnetic material has no disruptiveinfluences on the magnets affixed to the distribution trough and to theline, i.e. its carrier. The lateral-guide magnets and thedistribution-trough magnets can optionally be placed on the surface ofthe distribution trough, or inserted into openings in the distributiontrough.

It is practical if all of the magnets used are permanent magnets and/orelectromagnets.

In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail,using an exemplary embodiment shown schematically in the drawing. Thisshows:

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a device according to theinvention, according to a first, a second, and a third exemplaryembodiment, in cross-section;

FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a device according to theinvention, having a power supply chain, guided in a distribution trough,in cross-section;

FIG. 5 another cross-section through the device according to theinvention, according to FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 and 8 a schematic top view, in each instance, of a lowerstringer of a power supply chain according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 a, b, c three schematic longitudinal sections through the powersupply chain according to FIG. 6, with an upper stringer suspended abovethe lower stringer;

FIGS. 9 a and b two schematic longitudinal sections through the powersupply chain according to FIG. 8, with an upper stringer suspended abovethe lower stringer.

According to a first exemplary embodiment (FIG. 1), a three-lead cable 2is guided in a distribution trough 4 made of aluminum, which has adistribution surface 6 and lateral guides 8 that extend upward from thedistribution surface 6. The cable 2 can be moved in its longitudinaldirection, relative to the distribution trough 4. It is enclosed by asheath 10, on the lower side of which, facing the distribution surface6, a lower-side magnet 12 is disposed, which extends in the longitudinaldirection of the cable 2, over a great part of the lower side of thesheath 10. Facing the lower-side magnet 12, a distribution-surfacemagnet 14 is disposed on the distribution surface 6, which magnetextends in the longitudinal direction of the distribution trough 4, overa great part of the length of the distribution surface 6. In thisconnection, a magnetic pole of the lower-side magnet 12 faces asimilarly named magnetic pole of the distribution-surface magnet 14, sothat the magnets 12, 14 repel one another as they approach one another.As a result, the sheath 10, with the cable 2 enclosed in it, is heldsuspended above the distribution surface 6. A lateral magnet 16 isdisposed along sides of the cable 2, in the sheath 10, that face thelateral guides 8, in each instance, which magnet extends in thelongitudinal direction of the cable 2. Two lateral-guide magnets 18 thatextend in the longitudinal direction of the distribution trough 4 areaffixed to the lateral guides 8, facing the lateral magnets 16, in sucha manner that a magnetic pole of a lateral magnet 16 faces a similarlynamed magnetic pole of the lateral-guide magnet 18 assigned to theformer. By means of the arrangement of the permanent magnets 12, 14, 16,18, the sheath 10 that encloses the cable 2, is guided in thedistribution trough 4 in contact-free manner.

According to a second exemplary embodiment (FIG. 2), four three-leadcables 2 are embedded in a plastic mass 20 and form a cable package 22,which is guided in a distribution trough 4 and can be moved in itslongitudinal direction, relative to the latter. The distribution trough4 again has a distribution surface 6, as well as lateral guides 8 thatproject upward from the distribution surface 6. Along with the cables 2,several lower-side magnets 12 are disposed on the lower side of thecable package 22, at a distance from one another in the longitudinaldirection. Several lateral magnets 16 are guided with the cables 2, onthe sides of the cable package 22 that face the lateral guides 8, at adistance from one another, which magnets are disposed at a distance fromone another in the longitudinal direction. Distribution-surface magnets14 are disposed on the distribution surface 6, facing the lower-sidemagnets 12, at a distance from one another, and lateral-guide magnets 18are disposed on the lateral guides 8, facing the lateral magnets 16, ata distance from one another. In this connection, magnetic poles of thedistribution-surface magnets 14 face similarly named poles of thelower-side magnets 12, and magnetic poles of the lateral-guide magnets18 face similarly named magnetic poles of the lateral magnets 16, sothat the cable package 22 is suspended in the distribution trough 4,without contact.

The third exemplary embodiment, according to FIG. 3, is a furtherdevelopment of the second exemplary embodiment. In this connection, thecable package 22 can be folded in the distribution trough 4 in such amanner that a first section 24 can be laid down above an upper side,facing away from the distribution surface 6, of a second section 26,which is connected with the first by way of a bent section. Here, onlythe first section 24 is movable relative to the distribution trough 4,while the second section 26 remains laid down above the distributionsurface 6. In addition to two rows of lower-side magnets 12 disposed onits lower side, the second section 26 has two rows of upper-side magnets28 on its upper side. Lying opposite these, two rows of upper-sidemagnets 28 are disposed on the lower side of the first section 24. Inthis connection, magnetic poles of the upper-side magnets 28 on thefirst section 24 are assigned to similarly named magnetic poles of theupper-side magnets 28 on the second section 26, so that the firstsection 24 is held suspended above the second section 26. The lateralguides 8 have two rows of lateral-guide magnets 18, disposed above oneanother, at a distance from one another, in order to achievecontact-free lateral guiding for the two sections 24, 26 of the cablepackage 22.

In the case of the fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a powersupply chain 30 is guided in a distribution trough 4 having adistribution surface 6 and lateral guides 8. The power supply chain 30has several chain links that are connected with one another, each ofwhich has two lateral links 34 that are connected with one another bymeans of connection crosspieces 32 and run parallel to one another. Alower stringer 36 of the chain 30 is laid down above the distributionsurface 6. An upper stringer 38 of the chain 30 is laid down above thelower stringer 36. In the power supply chain 30, a three-lead cable 2 isshown as an example of the various lines that can be guided in it. Onlythe upper stringer 38 is moved relative to the distribution trough 4,while the lower stringer 36 remains laid down above the distributionsurface 6.

Upper-side magnets 28 are affixed to the lateral links 34, in eachinstance, on the upper side of the lower stringer 36 as well as on thelower side of the upper stringer 38 that faces the upper side of thelower stringer 36. In this connection, magnetic poles on the lowerstringer 36 face similarly named magnetic poles on the upper stringer38, so that the magnets on the lower stringer 36 and the magnets on theupper stringer 38 repel one another. The upper-side magnets 28 aredisposed over the entire length of the power supply chain 30, so thatthe upper stringer 38 is held suspended above the lower stringer 36, anddoes not touch it. The lower stringer 36 is also held suspended abovethe distribution surface 6. For this purpose, lower-side magnets 12 aredisposed on the lower side of the lower stringer 36, which faces thedistribution surface 6, and distribution-surface magnets 14 are disposedon the distribution surface 6. These are affixed at a distance from oneanother, along the entire length of the power supply chain 30 and alongthe entire length of the distribution surface 6, respectively. Magneticpoles of the lower side magnets 12 face similarly named magnetic polesof the distribution-surface magnets 14, so that the lower-side magnets12 and the distribution-surface magnets 14 repel one another as theyapproach one another.

If a section of the chain 30 is lifted from the distribution surface 6and laid down above the lower stringer 36, by folding the chain as anupper stringer 38, the lower-side magnets 12 disposed on it pointupwards and are on an upper side of the upper stringer 38.

Also in the fourth exemplary embodiment, lateral magnets 16 are disposedon the sides of the power supply chain 30 that face the lateral guides8, whereby magnetic poles of the lateral magnets 16 face similarly namedmagnetic poles of lateral-guide magnets 18 disposed on the lateralguides 8. The lateral-guide magnets 18 are affixed to the lateral guides8 in two rows that run above one another, so that the power supply chain30 is guided in the distribution trough 4 without contact.

If the upper stringer 38 is moved even farther beyond the end of thelower stringer 36, it can no longer be laid down onto it. For thispurpose, the distribution trough 4 according to FIG. 5 has slide rails40 in a region in which no lower stringer 36 is laid down in it, affixedto the lateral guides 8, above which the upper stringer 38 is laid down.A slide-rail magnet 42 is affixed to each of the slide rails 40, whichmagnet extends over the entire length of the slide rail 40. In thisconnection, a magnetic pole of the slide-rail magnet 42 faces similarlynamed magnetic poles of the upper-side magnets 28 on the lower side ofthe upper stringer 38, in each instance, so that the upper stringer 38is held suspended in the distribution trough 4 even above the sliderails 40.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the sheath 10, the cablepackage 22, and the power supply chain 30 are guided in the distributiontrough 4 without contact over their entire length, in each instance.However, it is also possible to guide parts of the sheath 10, the cablepackage 22, or the power supply chain 30 that are moved only a little,or only at low speeds, not in contact-free manner. In particular, inorder to achieve a simpler construction, the lower-side magnets 12 anddistribution-surface magnets 14, or the lower row of the lateral-guidemagnets 18, can be left out in the third and fourth exemplaryembodiment. Likewise, it is possible to leave out both rows of thelateral-guide magnets 18 as well as the lateral magnets 16.

The representation of three-lead cables 2 should be viewed only as anexample. The device according to the invention can also serve to guideother lines, particularly hydraulic or compressed air hoses.

FIGS. 6 and 7 a, b, c, show another exemplary embodiment, in which theupper stringer 38 of a power supply chain is held suspended above thelower stringer 36. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper stringer 38is held above the lower stringer 36 even if minor disruptive influencesoccur, and does not deviate to the side, or deviates onlyinsignificantly. As a result, it is fundamentally possible to do withouta distribution trough having lateral guides. The power supply chain hasa pair of upper-side magnets 28 on the upper side of its lower stringer36, and thereby also on the lower side of its upper stringer 38, on eachchain link, whereby magnetic poles on the lower stringer 36 always facesimilarly named magnetic poles on the upper stringer 38. These areaffixed to the lateral links 34 that are connected with one another bymeans of connection crosspieces 32, and extend in the longitudinaldirection of the chain link, in each instance. They are disposedsymmetrical to the center longitudinal plane of the power supply chain.The upper-side magnets 28 have elevations 28 a, 28 b, 28 c that run inthe longitudinal direction of the magnets and face away from the chainlinks. These elevations are disposed at different distances from thesides of the chain links, in the case of consecutive chain links. In theexemplary embodiment shown here, the arrangement of the elevationsrepeats with every third chain link.

The arrangement of the elevations 28 a, 28 b, 28 c has the result thatthe upper stringer 38 is stable with regard to lateral deflections withregard to the lower stringer 36. In the case of three consecutive chainlink pairs of upper and lower stringer 36, 38, in the case of a firstchain link pair, a chain link having the elevations 28 a is suspendedabove a similar chain link at the outer edge of the lateral links 34according to FIG. 7 a. The horizontal components of the repulsion forcesof the upper-side magnets 28 cancel one another out. In the case of thesubsequent chain link pair (FIG. 7 b), a chain link of the upperstringer 38, having elevations 28 b disposed in the center of thelateral links 34, is suspended above a chain link of the lower stringer36, having elevations 28 c disposed on the inside of the lateral links34. In the case of the subsequent chain link pair (FIG. 7 c), a chainlink of the upper stringer 38, having elevations 28 c disposed on theinside of the lateral links 34 is suspended above a chain link of thelower stringer 36, having elevations 28 b disposed in the center of thelateral links 34. In the two latter cases, a lateral deflection of theupper stringer 38 above the lower stringer 36 causes an elevation 28 b,28 c on the upper stringer 38 to approach an elevation 28 b, 28 c on thelower stringer 36, in each instance, which counteracts slippage of theupper stringer 38 off the lower stringer 36. The upper stringer 38 istherefore always in a stable position, with regard to lateraldeflections, above the lower stringer 36, over approximately two-thirdsof its length.

It is also possible to repeat the arrangement with every n^(th) chainlink, at n>3, or with every other chain link, as shown in FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 a, b. If a chain link of the upper stringer 38 is suspended abovea chain link of the lower stringer 36, with the same arrangement of theelevations 28 a (FIG. 9 a), the horizontal components of the magneticforces cancel one another out. If a chain link of the upper stringer 38is suspended above a chain link of the lower stringer 36 having acomplementary arrangement of the elevations 28 a, 28 b (FIG. 9 b), thehorizontal components of the magnetic forces also cancel one another outand furthermore result in automatic equalization of minor lateraldeflections of the upper stringer 38 relative to the lower stringer 36.

In summary, the following should be stated:

The invention relates to a device for guiding at least one line 2,particularly an electrical line. The device has a distribution trough 4for laying down the line 2, whereby the distribution trough 4 has adistribution surface 6 and lateral guides 8. According to the invention,it is provided that at least one magnet 12, 16, 28 is guided with theline 2, by means of which magnet it can be held suspended in thedistribution trough 4, at least over part of its length.

1. Distribution device comprising at least one line (2), particularly anelectrical line, having a distribution trough (4) for laying down theline (2), whereby the distribution trough (4) has a distribution surface(6) and lateral guides (8), wherein at least one magnet (12, 16, 28) isguided with the line (2), which magnet is disposed on or below a side ofthe line (2) that points downward, and by means of which magnet it canbe held suspended in the distribution trough (4), at least over part ofits length.
 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least onelower-side magnet (12) is guided with the line (2), facing thedistribution surface (6), and that the distribution surface (6) has atleast one distribution-surface magnet (14), which is disposed in such amanner that it repels the lower-side magnet (12) as it approaches. 3.Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one lateral magnet (16) isguided with the line (2), facing the lateral guides (8), and that thelateral guides (8) have at least one lateral-guide magnet (18), in eachinstance, which is disposed in such a manner that it repels the lateralmagnet (16) as it approaches.
 4. Device according to claim 1, whereinthe line (2) can be folded in the distribution trough (4), in such amanner that a first section (24) can be laid down with its lower sidethat faces the distribution surface (6), above an upper side, facingaway from the distribution surface (6), of a second section (26)connected with the first by means of a bent section.
 5. Device accordingto claim 4, wherein at least one upper-side magnet (28) is guided withthe upper side of the second section (26) as well as the lower side ofthe first section (24), in each instance, whereby a magnetic pole of theupper-side magnet (28) on the first section (24) faces a similarly namedpole of the upper-side magnet (28) on the second section (26), so thatthe first section (24) can be held suspended, at least over part of itslength, above the second section (26).
 6. Device according to claim 5,wherein several upper-side magnets (28) are disposed along the first andthe second section (24, 26), at a distance from one another, in such amanner that magnetic poles along the first section (24) face similarlynamed magnetic poles along the second section (26).
 7. Device accordingto claim 2, wherein several lower-side magnets (12) are disposed alongthe line (2), at a distance from one another, and severaldistribution-surface magnets (14) are disposed on the distributionsurface (6), at a distance from one another, in such a manner thatmagnetic poles along the line (2) face similarly named magnetic poles onthe distribution surface (6).
 8. Device according to claim 3, whereinseveral lateral-guide magnets (18) are disposed along the lateral guides(8), at a distance from one another, and several lateral magnets (16)are disposed along the sides of the line (2) that face the lateralguides (8), at a distance from one another, in such a manner thatmagnetic poles of the lateral-guide magnets (18) face similarly namedmagnetic poles of the lateral magnets (16).
 9. Device according to claim8, wherein the lateral-guide magnets (18) are disposed on every lateralguide (8) in two rows that run at a distance from one another, one abovethe other.
 10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the lower-sidemagnets (12) and/or the lateral magnets (16) and/or the upper-sidemagnets (28) are disposed on the line (2).
 11. Device according to claim1, wherein the line (2) is disposed in a carrier (10, 20, 30) thatcarries the lower-side magnets (12) and/or the lateral magnets (16)and/or the upper-side magnets (28).
 12. Device according to claim 11,wherein the lower-side magnets (12) and/or the lateral magnets (16)and/or the upper-side magnets (28) are disposed on the outer surface ofthe carrier (10, 20, 30).
 13. Device according to claim 11, wherein thelower-side magnets (12) and/or the lateral magnets (16) and/or theupper-side magnets (28) are disposed in the carrier (10, 20, 30). 14.Device according to claim 11, wherein the lower-side magnets (12) and/orthe lateral magnets (16) and/or the upper-side magnets (28) are disposedin accommodation openings in the outer surface of the carrier (10, 20,30).
 15. Device according to claim 11, wherein the carrier is a sheath(10) that encloses the line (2).
 16. Device according to claim 11,wherein the carrier is a plastic mass (20) in which several lines (2)are embedded.
 17. Device according to claim 11, wherein the carrier is apower supply chain (30).
 18. Distribution device comprising a powersupply chain, and a distribution trough (4) for laying down the powersupply chain (30), whereby the distribution trough (4) has adistribution surface (6) and lateral guides (8), wherein the powersupply chain (30) has at least one magnet (12, 16, 28), by means ofwhich it can be held suspended in the distribution trough (4), at leastover part of its length.
 19. Device according to claim 18, wherein atleast one upper-side magnet (28) is disposed on the upper side of alower stringer (36) of the power supply chain (30), and on the lowerside of an upper stringer (38) of the power supply chain (30), in eachinstance, in such a manner that a magnetic pole on the upper stringer(38) faces a similarly named magnetic pole on the lower stringer (36).20. Device according to claim 19, wherein several upper-side magnets(28) are disposed on the lower side of the upper stringer (38) and onthe upper side of the lower stringer (36), at a distance from oneanother, in such a manner that magnetic poles on the upper stringer (38)face similarly named magnetic poles on the lower stringer (36). 21.Device according to claim 18, wherein the power supply chain (30) has atleast one lower-side magnet (12) on its lower side, facing thedistribution surface (6), and that the distribution surface (6) has atleast one distribution surface magnet (14), which is disposed in such amanner that it repels the lower side magnet (12) as it approaches. 22.Device according to claim 21, wherein several lower-side magnets (12)are disposed along the lower side, at a distance from one another, andseveral distribution-surface magnets (14) are disposed on thedistribution surface (6) at a distance from one another, in such amanner that magnetic poles on the lower side face similarly namedmagnetic poles on the distribution surface (6).
 23. Device according toclaim 18, wherein the power supply chain (30) has at least one lateralmagnet (16) on its sides facing the lateral guides (8), and that thelateral guides (8) have at least one lateral-guide magnet (18), in eachinstance, which is disposed in such a manner that a magnetic pole of thelateral guide magnet (18) faces a similarly named magnetic pole of thelateral magnet (16).
 24. Device according to claim 23, wherein severallateral magnets (16) are disposed along the power supply chain (30), ata distance from one another, and several lateral-guide magnets (18) aredisposed along the lateral guides (8), at a distance from one another,in each instance, in such a manner that magnetic poles of the lateralmagnets (16) face similarly named magnetic poles of the lateral-guidemagnets (18).
 25. Device according to claim 24, wherein thelateral-guide magnets (18) are disposed in two rows that run at adistance from one another and on top of one another.
 26. Deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein the distribution trough (4) has a sliderail (40) for laying down the upper stringer (38), that at least oneslide-rail magnet (42) is disposed on the slide rail (40), and that atleast one upper-side magnet (28) is disposed on the lower side of theupper stringer (38) that faces the slide rail (40), in such a mannerthat a magnetic pole of the upper-side magnet (28) faces a similarlynamed magnetic pole of the slide-rail magnet (42).
 27. Device accordingto claim 26, wherein several upper-side magnets (28) are disposed on thepower supply chain (30), at a distance from one another, and severalslide-rail magnets (42) are disposed on the slide rail (40), at adistance from one another, in such a manner that magnetic poles of theupper-side magnets (28) face similarly named magnetic poles of theslide-rail magnets (42).
 28. Device according to claim 1, wherein thedistribution trough (4) is made of a non-magnetic material, preferablyplastic, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
 29. Device according to claim 1,wherein the lateral-guide magnets (18) and/or the distribution-surfacemagnets (14) and/or the slide rail magnets (42) are disposed on thesurface of the distribution trough (4).
 30. Device according to claim 1,wherein the lateral-guide magnets (18) and/or the distribution-surfacemagnets (14) and/or the slide rail magnets (42) are inserted intoopenings in the distribution trough (4).
 31. Device according to claim1, wherein the lateral-guide magnets (18) and/or thedistribution-surface magnets (14) and/or the lateral magnets (16) and/orthe lower-side magnets (12) and/or the upper-side magnets (28) and/orthe slide rail magnets (42) are permanent magnets.
 32. Device accordingto claim 1, wherein the lateral-guide magnets (18) and/or thedistribution-surface magnets (14) and/or the lateral magnets (16) and/orthe lower-side magnets (12) and/or the upper-side magnets (28) and/orthe slide rail magnets (42) are electromagnets.
 33. Power supply chain,for use in a distribution device according to claim 18, comprising atleast one upper-side magnet (28) on the upper side of its lower stringer(36) and at least one upper-side magnet (28) on the lower side of itsupper stringer (38), whereby a magnetic pole on the lower stringer (36)faces a similarly named magnetic pole on the upper stringer (38). 34.Power supply chain according to claim 33, wherein several upper-sidemagnets (28) are disposed on the upper side of its lower stringer (36)and on the lower side of its upper stringer (38), in each instance, insuch a manner that magnetic poles on the upper stringer (38) facesimilarly named magnetic poles on the lower stringer (36).
 35. Powersupply chain, for use in a distribution device according to claim 18,comprising at least one lower-side magnet (12) on its lower side and/orat least one lateral magnet (16) on the lateral surfaces of the chainlinks.
 36. Power supply chain according to claim 35, wherein the lateralmagnets (16) are disposed on its lateral links (34).
 37. Power supplychain according to claim 33, wherein the lower-side magnets (12) and/orthe upper-side magnets (28) are disposed on the connection crosspieces(32) that connect the lateral links (34).
 38. Power supply chainaccording to claim 33, wherein the lower-side magnets (12) and/or theupper-side magnets (28) are disposed on the lateral links (34) of thepower supply chain (30).
 39. Power supply chain according to claim 33,wherein a pair of upper-side magnets (28) is disposed on every chainlink, symmetrical to the center longitudinal plane, extending on bothsides in the longitudinal direction of the chain link.
 40. Power supplychain according to claim 39, wherein the upper-side magnets (28) haveelevations (28 a, 28 b, 28 c) that run in their longitudinal directionand point away from the chain links.
 41. Power supply chain according toclaim 40, wherein the elevations (28 a, 28 b, 28 c) of the upper-sidemagnets (28) of consecutive chain links are disposed at differentdistances from their sides.
 42. Power supply chain according to claim41, wherein in the case of each chain link, the elevations (28 a, 28 b,28 c) are disposed as in the case of the nth subsequent chain link,whereby n is a natural number.
 43. Power supply chain according to claim42, wherein n is greater than or equal to
 3. 44. Power supply chainaccording to claim 33, wherein it has rollers that roll along thelateral guides (8) on its sides facing the lateral guides (8) of adistribution trough (4).